Accepting the Perversion of Homosexuality

The recent AIDS conference in San Francisco and the accompanying Gay-Lesbian Freedom Day parade brought the issue of homosexuality before us once again. The local newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) mentioned the near-nudity, the dancing men, the shameless costumes of the paraders, and the accepting attitudes of the viewers.

The newspaper quoted a psychiatrist as saying, "They’re celebrating our right to freedom of expression." The parade’s grand marshals included three homosexuals who were recently ordained as Lutheran ministers. Supposedly more than 150,000 crowded San Francisco to celebrate the day. Other celebrations were held around the country.

In our humanistic, tolerant, "rights-oriented" society, those who profess to be Christians may be inclined to pass over such perverse displays as inconsequential. We may tend to swallow the prevailing attitude in America that accepts every lifestyle as a proper expression of one’s own right. We may not personally feel comfortable with such a lifestyle—but "to each his own." We have been led to believe that tolerance is a virtue, acceptance is desirable, and nonjudgmentalism is the only proper response in our "enlightened" age.

I think it is time that we view such things from God’s perspective. Since He created us, He surely has the right to tell us how we should look upon homosexuality and every other sin of society. How should we view this?

First, let us remember that "homosexuality" is actually perversion of the greatest kind. Jude refers to sodomy as "gross immorality" and describes it as going after "strange flesh" (verse 7, NASB). It perverts the proper male-female relationship and involves lustful acts far too gross and sickening to describe (Romans 1:26-27; cf. Ephesians 5:12). The human body was meant to participate in a holy and pure relationship with a life companion of the opposite sex (Matthew 19:5; Hebrews 13:4). Instead, sodomy distorts God’s perfect arrangement into a gross sexual distortion of the worst kind.

Second, we need to remember how Scripture describes sodomy. God calls it wickedness (Genesis 19:7), an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 23:18), a detestable act (Leviticus 20:13), folly (Judges 19:23-24), unnatural and degrading passions (Romans 1:27), and gross immorality (Jude 7). Instead of an acceptable "alternative lifestyle" or a "minority orientation," sodomy is a grievous sin before our holy God.

Third, God does not give people (Americans, or anyone else) the "right" to be homosexuals or sodomites. They have assumed or claimed this as a "right"—but God has not given them this assumed "right." Yes, He allows them to destroy their personalities, degrade their bodies, and corrupt their lives by this sin—but they do not have the "right" to do so.

Fourth, we need to beware of any tolerant attitude that would give others the impression that we agree with any type of sodomite orientation. Let us let our light shine on the job, in school, and in the neighborhood (Matthew 5:14-16). Let us speak out and call sodomy the sin that it is. Let us not be intimidated by others who would approve of what God disapproves. Let us not allow the world to squeeze us into its mold (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:11).

Fifth, God does not allow practicing sodomites to be in Christian fellowship. In our day, some denominations are even considering allowing their ministers to be sodomite in orientation and practice! Actually, not only does God forbid preachers and overseers to be homosexual, Paul says that true believers must have no fellowship with (or even "eat" with) anyone who is "an immoral person"—including sodomites (1 Corinthians 5:11 with 6:9-10).

Obviously, this is not speaking about sodomites in the world, but those who become so-called "brothers" or "sisters" and fall into homosexual, immoral behavior and then refuse to repent (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Discipline, therefore, is a generally neglected but very important aspect of God’s will. Without it, the whole body can be negatively affected (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 5-8).

Sixth, while we abhor the perversion of sodomy, we need to have tender compassion on the sodomite who humbles himself and repents of his sinful lifestyle. We need to "have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh" (Jude 23). Just as God detests the sexual perversion of sodomy but mercifully receives those who renounce this sin, we too should strongly condemn homosexuality, but accept the repentant sodomite who turns to God through Christ Jesus.

Every sin can be washed away through the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) if one places his faith in Christ (Acts 10:43) and calls upon Him in baptism (Acts 22:16; 2:36-38). Sodomy can be fully forgiven if one repents and forsakes his sin (Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19).

I hope that when we read of "Gay Pride" demonstrations and parades, we will have the same perspective as our God. Let us hate sodomy with all of our heart and be angered at the brazen and shameless conduct of the sodomite. Let us openly condemn the gross immorality of sodomy that brings God’s righteous judgment.

Yet, let us realize that God is gracious and merciful, and is willing to fully forgive those who forsake this sin and embrace His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. God can wash, sanctify, and justify the homosexual (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) and make him or her a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

(Richard Hollerman, The Christian Informer, Volume 2, No. 24)